CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 511, 6 September 1902, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The annual mooting of tho Chamber of Commerce was hold last night, thcro being present: Messrs A. F. Matthows (President), Townley, McPhail, Redstone, J. Whinray, Ambridge, Morgan, Rosie, and Lunn (Secretary). A long communication from the London Chamber of Commerce was received in regard to Imperial cable matters. _ It was agreed that tho letter lie on tho tablo, tho President stating that tho subject would probably bo discussed at a later

period. Tho President thon read tho annual report. Messrs T. McGregor and W. Birch wero elected members of tho Chamber.

Tlio report uud balance-sheet wero adopted on tho motion of tho President, socondcd by tho Mayor. The latter referred with pleasure to tho reference to dairying, which ho said had revolutionised tho other coast—thoro was every sign of prosperity from Patca to Now Plymouth. What would tiavo to bo douo hero would bo to get more settlers on tho land and havo dairying pushed on. Tho land being settled was good for dairying right up to tho Motu. There was do land more suited than tho Motu for dairying. Tho Government had not paid much attention to acquiring small areas in this district, but ho believed if they did it would bo found a great success. Mr Morgan said it had previously been docided to draw up a potition in favor of Government taking ovor a To Arai run. Tho Prosidont said ho was pleased to stato that that potition was boing taken round now by Mr Roopo Brooking. Mr McGregor had boon taking great interest in tho matter. When tho petition was roady plans would bo sent down to Wellington with tho petition. Mr Whinray said tho report was very satisfactory, and it was adopted. Tho usual bonus was granted to tho Secretary, who modostly declined to accept. Members considered that Mr Lunn was fully entitled to it, and it was accordingly voted, Mr Lunn adding that there was nothing to prevent him making a gift of it to tho Chamber, Tho question of electing a president came up, but there was reluctanco to act. Mr Pcttio was proposed, but had sont a letter of apology for non-attondanoe, in which ho asked that his name bo not sub. mitted for office. Messrs Ambridge and Redstone both declined nomination, and on the motion of Mr Morgan, seconded by Mr Bedstone, Mr J. Whinray was unanimously elected President. The officers electod were : \ieo-Presi-dent, Mr W. Morgan ; Committee, Messrs Townley, Redstone, Ambridge, McPhail, and Holden. Mr Lunn refused rc-olection as becrctary, and after discussion it was decided to allow the matter to stand in abeyance for a time. The name of Mr J. R. Littio was mentioned, find it \vr*s thought the work would not interfere with his other duties. | Mr Lunn was elected auditor. On the motion of Mr Ambridge, a yoto | of thanks was accorded to the retiring president and outgoing members of the committee. , , , .. , Mr Townley seconded the motion, and also joined in expression of warm approval of the services rendered by Mr Matthews, as also did Mr Whinray. When the outgoing President left the chair he welcomed Mr Whinray to tlio position. “ I now have tho pleasuro of inducting you to the chair,’' said Mr Matthews, "and I trust that when your term of office is- up, instead of having a meeting like this to-night, this room will not be large enough to hold tho number of members who will- attend to hear your well-known eloquence.'’ (Applause.) In reply Mr Whinray dilated on tho important functions that devolved on a Chamber of Commerce, and urged that "reatcr interest should be taken in it. Ho considered that there was a great future before tho district. The members of Parliament who had visited it thi= week had been much impressed, and ho hoped that they would get- another party of members and take them further aticld. Theu tho district would net more recognition. Commenting on The report as fn timber, it was, ho said shown that there was an area ot jO.OOO acres of timber land in tho portion the expert visited, and that was not a tenth part of the whole. The .latest estimates were that the kauri would only last fifteen years. Government were doing great work in planting such arid land as that about Rotorua, but the trees were, of slow growiii, anu woum ituie ages to mature. Steps should bo taken to conserve such forests as wo bad until tho railway could be pushed on, so as to utako the timber of Marketable yalue.

Mr Matthews said that he had read in ancient fables of Narcissus, who bad a beautiful face and figure. When crossing a brook and observing the reflection therein he was so struck with bis own beauty that he gazed at the reflection so long as to become absolutely blind. Although he had always tried to push on the interests of the district they must not become blind and ignore all the rest of the colony. He urged that they should also vigorously follow up the principle of self-help in the establishment of local industries. Mr Rosie said that a sawmiiler from the Forty-mile Bush intended erecting a sawmill a little beyond the Karaka. The need was to have the railway pushed on.

Mr Matthews said that the mill was to be in the Waihora bush, fourteen miles from Kaiteratahi. They took timber for fourteen miles by traction engine in Hawke’s Bay to the railway line, ft could be floated down to the Karaka and cut there.

Mr McPhail : liut they couid not float it except in flood time Mr Matthews : Yes, by dams. The man himself told me that was what he intended doing. Mr Redstone said that -Mr DeLautour had told him that timber was to bo brought out by trolly. Mr Ambridge said that there was no doubt more scope in the district for industries, some of which would not take a great deal of capitul to start them. Mr Whinray said they had been blind in not moving more strenuously in times gone by. Mr Ambridge : Wo want it all in a I heap now. ! Mr Matthews agreed that it was neces- I sary to keep tiioir claims to the front, but j they should be cartful not to over do it. Ife referred in glowing terms to tho capacity of the distiict.